[PFS]PbP Gameday IV: GM Brew's 5-08 The Confirmation (Nubicon Arc)

Game Master Wicked Brew

The gnome smiles and waves to Arklore then goes back to reading the paper in his hands. As he reads, the flamboyantly dressed gnome hums a catchy tune and appears to be quite content.

Not finding anything that interests the young Nagaji, Tsukai moves back into the central room and examines the front door while avoiding the circle on the floor. Let me see if door will open. Much better way to leave than window

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Tsukai is looking for any traps or unlocking mechanism to allow for the group to quickly and safely exit the house if needed

Auryn enters the room with the gnome after exploring the meeting room.

"Wait...what?! Hello! You're here! You're alive!" she says by way of greeting. "We were worried something had happened to you! We need to talk to you!"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Placing the potions on me, I make a note to let my comrades know of my discovery.

Putting on my best smile despite being surprised at seeing the gnome, I can't help but think this is some form of an illusion.

Well, HELLO THERE!!, it is certainly great to meet you Mr. Fimmbrick, and that is a quite the catchy tune you are ~whiffle~, pardon, I mean whistling. Are you celebrating the return of Aroden...it appears the god is not quite dead after all!

Inflections my voice a bit, in hopes of being overheard with a ridiculous statement, I make sure that I maintain a point/position of advantage that would not leave me vulnerable an attack from above, below or behind.

Bregolas rounds the main room to peer at the gnome from the doorway. His arms are akimbo, and his expression is one that seems to say: Pfft. It figures. Shaking his head subtly, the elf mumbles beneath his breath. "Gnomes..."

The gnome seems to ignore Arklore and Auryn as they speak. After a few moments, the gnome looks up, smiles, waves and returns to reading the paper. He does not respond.

Suspicion sets in and I walk up the "gnome" and slap him on the back, wonder gin if had will pass thru him.

Oh you don't say, I had no idea your mother a goblin and your father an elf...it explains so much!!

Though he's clever enough to very well know what Arklore is up to, Bregolas cannot help but protest the potential coupling of goblin and elf.

"Impossible," he remarks aloud, a wrinkled look of disdain on his face. "Perish the thought."

Observe the gnome more carefully (+2 vs incorporeal or ethereal creatures?):
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

As Arklore interacts with the gnome, Bregolas notices that the gnome does not react in the slightest to the sorcerer's comments and is sure that the gnome is, in fact, an illusion. A notion that is confirmed when we witnesses Arklore's hand pass through the gnome as if it were a ghost.

Tsukai, as well as the rest of the party, finds nothing more of interest at the home.

Where to next?

Hmmmm, did somebody mention that they met the person mentioned in that last note at the Inn that nearly killed us? That be the next place to go...and get a drink.

Tsukai opens the front door for everyone as they depart the gnome's home. This way much better than way we came in. Tsukai then responds to Arklore's statement I thought we look for plaque at Lodge? Shrugging his shoulders with little concern as to where they go next I go where group decides is best. Let me know and I will follow

"What a strange situation. I'm pretty sure that we need to find the plaque for 'Doulgonlir Caskmail' on the 'Wall of Names' memorial to Selmius Foster. I suspect that Tsukai is right and that it is to found in the Lodge."

"Remember the message we heard from the coin: 'The path and chamber are complete, hidden behind the nameplate of the requested aspirant and guarded by the word you requested. Fimbrik will add more.' The 'requested aspirant' must be Doulgonlir Caskmail and the 'word you requested' has to be 'Wiffle'."

"So it looks like we should head to the Lodge, find the nameplate, say the word, and - hopefully - investigate the 'path and chamber'."

Auryn nods, not quite keeping up with all the possible leads.

"Sure--let's go check out the Wall of Names, then."

After assuring themselves that there is nothing else of value at Fimbrik's abode, the agents set out to the famous Wall of Names to further their investigation. Created in 4330 ar, the Wall of Names resides on the grounds of the Grand Lodge in Absalom. The monument is a curving wall of black glass that stands atop a small hill at the western edge of the lodge’s grounds. Trees surround the hill, providing ample shade and privacy for those visiting the wall to remember fallen comrades. Carved into the wall are the name and date of death of every Pathfinder killed in the course of duty since the wall’s construction, and most entries also include a sentence or two summarizing either the agent’s greatest accomplishments or how she died.

The Pathfinders have no trouble locating the wall and it's list of names.

Bregolas nods to Regnel in agreement. At the wall, he looks for the name Doulgonlir Caskmail.

He also makes a mental note, for future reference, to spot the other two names mentioned in Adolphus' note: one Hollis "Evil Grin" Thorne, and one Karina Clamp.

Search for Doulgonlir Caskmail, and note the other two names as well:
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Walking and searching along with them, I assit where I can.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

The party examines the Wall of Names. They indeed find the name of Doulgonlir Caskmail. The agent's epitaph has a portion of it underlined. After some further searching, the group finds two additional names with soem portions of their epitaphs underlined.

Please make know(local) check.

Knowledge, general: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

I may be little help with names. None are familiar to me. What do we do now? The words over lines seem to be clues but they make little sense to me

Well I suppose we could look around each of the names a bit more in detail, say the "word" and see if anything happens if all else fails.

Auryn tries to determine whether she has heard the names anywhere.

know local untrained: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Pooling their combined knowledge, the agents are unable to recall any information that aids them in deciphering this mystery. Auryn thinks they may be able to seek aid from an agent with a bit more knowledge of local news.

Bregolas scratches his chin in quiet contemplation, then shrugs. "I know not what these clues mean either. They must be references to our next destination. Let us find our homeless mentor once more, perhaps he can enlighten us." Another insight, "Or perhaps Janira, who has proven herself a fount of information to us previously."

No local knowledge training here either.

Tsukai thinks for a moment Sixteen poses? Maybe it means paintings or statues. Could also be fighting styles. Sometimes screaming and silence can be part of technique. Finding someone who knows more would be best.

"Before we leave, let's make sure that we press Caskmail's name on the monument while saying 'Wiffle'."

Regnel waits a few moments to see if anyone objects, but if not he presses the plaque and says "Wiffle" loudly and clearly.

With no objections to trying a few more things, I stand by, looking around, making sure nobody takes notice to us.

Auryn leads the way back toward the Wounded Wisp, hoping they can still find Janira to help them with the knowledge they need.

Bregolas seems slightly amused by Regnel's repetition of the passphrase yet again. He wonders to himself if the librarian will repeat "wiffle" dozens more times by the time they actually find the proper place for it.

Nonetheless, he waits with anticipation for any kind of response...

Without any, he follows after the energetic summonness back to the tavern, secretly hoping no further straining to socialize beyond questioning Janira will be necessary.

Hitting an educational dead end, the agents decide to seek the aid of form one of their ranks. Before setting off to find Janira, Rengel presses the name of Dooulgonir Caskmail, while speaking the word "Wiffle" aloud. The party closes their collective eyes but, after a few moments, nothing happens.

The party heads back to the Wisp. The tavern is busy but no where near as crowded as when last they visited. After combing through the bustling crowd, the agents find Janira at the end of the bar. Seemingly ignoring he bustle about her, Janira is transfixed with a book in her hand that she is reading intently. She does not break from the page, even as she sneaks sips from a tankard of ale that rests on the bar in front of her. The young halfling does not seem to notice anyone from the group.

Tsukai waits for Auryn to speak with Janira and remains silent as he observes the remaining tavern patrons

Auryn brightens up at the sight of Janira.

She approaches the halfling and takes a seat next to her.

"Hi Janira! We're back! Ummm...we've run into sort of a dead-end, but we're following some important leads!"

She goes on to explain what they have found, including the names Doulgonir Caskmail,Karina Clamp, and Hollis 'Evil Grin' Thorne.

"And there were underlined words on the Wall of Names," she says, and taking out her notes explains what the words were.

"Does this mean anything to you?"

Looking around the inn, and keeping an out for that self serving bar maid that nearly got us killed, I order up a tankard of Dragon's Milk Bouron Stout while remaining close enough to hear the conversation between Janira and Auryn.

Janira beams as her attention is drawn to the Pathfinders. She smiles at the group warmly. "Hey folks! What you been up to? Some good cooperating stories to share?" She offers the party a cure snorting giggle then listens to their predicament. The halfling scrunches up her face and tries to recall any significance from the names Auryn lists. "Hmm. Yes, of course! I knew I recognized those names. They are all failed aspirants! You see, these fallen agents fell because they attempted the test of the starstone and, obviously, did not quite make it to godhood. Wow, I just realized that that crusader is supposed to attempt that very thing! I was going to head over to watch. You know, there is a shrine dedicated to the failed aspirants near the cathedral. Given how things are going, sounds like you may want to check it out."

Well that sounds like an excellent idea, to learn from others mistakes as they attempt at a chance for godhood or suicide; that way when I ace my own starstone test I can say that it all started here today!!

Rolling my eyes and taking a drink of the fine stout. I guess we should head to the show. I wonder how many unique ways we will see folks have their very lives snuffed from them.

"I think that explains it! I think the plaque we need to press is in the shrine of the failed aspirants! I had a suspicion that 'aspirants' had something to do with the Test of the Starstone, and it seemed an odd word to use to describe names on a Pathfinder memorial. Let's hurry and go check it out!"

Auryn hugs Janira one last time and turns to leave.

"Make sure you take notes on how the knight does! I wouldn't want to miss it if he succeeds...though I do worry he won't, and then I wouldn't want to see it!"

The agents make their way to the Shrine of the Failed. AS they travel, the Pathfinders fight the crowds of people heading to the Cathedral of the Starstone to see the next aspirant take the famed test of the Starstone. When the group arrives at the shrine, they see that the normal posted guards and attendants are absent and likely also bearing witness to the crusaders mad quest for godhood. Seizing the opportunity, the agents slip into the Shrine of the Failed. Finding the majority of the Shrine closed, they are nonetheless able to locate a set of stairs leading to the basement annex of the superstructure of the Shrine proper. Anxiously, the group enters the Shrine's antechamber.

This monumental chamber stretches eighty feet from end to end, with a ceiling suspended thirty feet from the floor by great pillars. Seven arched passages lead to humble rooms, each of which contains a polished stone altar dedicated to one of the failed aspirants who attempted
the Test of the Starstone.

Map Updated

lets. have about a five foot space between each of us and look at the shrines from left to right in a clockwise manner.

keeping m crossbow in the ready port position...i scan.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

Back at the inn, Bregolas merely sighs at the foolishness of those seeking godhood at all costs. He nods in farewell to his young mentor in gratitude as the party heads for this misguided shrine of failure.

...

At the shrine, the swordsman proceeds with Arklore's plan by approaching the first shrine to his left...

Examine the shrine, looking for a plaque:
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 +2 vs surprise, invisible, incorporeal, or undead creatures

"Wow," Auryn says as they enter the shrine. "Who would have thought there would be such a place? In some ways, it is a shrine to the utterly mistaken--those who thought they were gods but were not--a pity. Still, may their souls rest in peace," she says as she looks around.

"We have some names--let's look for them," she suggests.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

Tsukai examines the memorial to the fallen Many think themselves to be gods. The price should be high for such vanity. I pity those who do not learn from other's mistakes. Tsukai searches for the names from the list
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"I don't know... I find the idea of 'almost' gods to be kind of appealing. No one knows really what goes on in the test - maybe these aren't failed aspirants but just gods who found something more interesting 'out there' and just never looked back to Golarion. Or maybe the Starstone devoured their souls. Certainly food for thought."

Regnel joins in the search for the names on their list.

The party begins a cautious systematic search of the shrine. In the southwest alcove, they discover the shrine dedicated to Doulgonir Caskmail.

Regnel hurries over to the shine for Caskmail as soon as it is discovered. He examines the plaque bearing Caskmail's name and looks for any elements that might be able to be pushed in. If he finds any, he pushes on the plaque and says the secret word, "Wiffle!"

Bregolas cannot help but smirk as Regnel repeats that infamous password yet again, as expected. As he observes any indications of it actually triggering an effect, "Henceforth, dear librarian, I shall call you Mister Wiffles."

Observe any effects:
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Suppressing a laugh with not much success, I wait to see of our librarian companion is correct in his deductive thinking.

Regnel chuckles and turns to Bregolas. "There are worse nicknames, I suppose. I shall wear the name Mister Wiffles with pride."

Tsukai lets out an amusing snort. A very similar thought had crossed his mind as his companions shared their thoughts. I hope we are close to finding answers to riddles.

Auryn continues to look for the names they had found at the Wall of Names.

Yes there are far things you could be called Regnel.....not that those names would accurate or fair. Heck, being called anything Orcish tends to sound like a insult, let alone when you are insulted in that language.....and in Elvish...why you could be called something worse than the night soil at the bottom of a latrine and it would sound like a compliment. Yes, I think there is far worse than whiffle.